- Raihan Vadra alleges Bikaner House censored his artwork.
- Artwork depicting protests, Indian flag removed from exhibition.
- Priyanka Gandhi, Congress criticize suppression of artists.
Priyanka Gandhi Son Controversy: A political row has erupted after Raihan Vadra, son of senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, claimed that the Bikaner House management in Delhi asked him to remove a major portion of artwork from his exhibition. In an Instagram post, Vadra alleged that the artwork showcased the protests held in the last six months. He also claimed that the organizers even asked him to remove pictures of Indian flag, asserting that the voices of artists are being suppressed.
Censoring Work Of Artists: Vadra
In his Instagram post, Vadra alleged that he was asked to remove those artwork just hours before the exhibition, accusing the management of suppressing the voices of artists. He further stated that they insisted for the removal despite assuring that the artwork had no political message.
"I felt it is my duty as an Indian artist...They are censoring the work of artists, I don't know what they are scared of. They even went to the extent of removing the picture of the Indian flag," Raihan Vadra said. "First of all, you can't say don't show political art because all art is political. There is no art without politics," he added.
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Priyanka Gandhi Reacts
While reacting to the incident, Priyanka Gandhi stated that the artwork did not give any political message, further warning that other artists can also face similar actions. "It's not a democracy anymore. Today it's him, tomorrow it'll be another artist," the Congress general secretary was quoted as saying by India Today.
As per news agency PTI, while over 100 artworks were to be presented at the demonstration, more than 70 such works were removed. Along with Priyanka Gandhi, other Congress leaders, including Pawan Khera also criticized the organisers. Amid the controversy, Bikaner House management has refused to issue any statement.